A23 CHEQUERS ROUNDABOUT, HORLEY: PREDESTRIAN AND CYCLING CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS

Transcription

1 s A23 CHEQUERS ROUNDABOUT, HORLEY: PREDESTRIAN AND CYCLING CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL S LOCAL COMMITTEE FOR REIGATE AND BANSTEAD 12 JANUARY 2004 KEY ISSUE To consider the conclusions of a feasibility study into the movement of pedestrians and cyclists around the A23/Chequers roundabout in Horley and to the preliminary design of a recommended preferred improvement scheme. SUMMARY In 2001, as a result of an approved planning application process, the petrol garage site on the centre island of the A23/Chequers roundabout was redeveloped with improved and extended retail facilities. This resulted in higher numbers of pedestrians and cyclists moving around the junction with inherent safety concerns. The junction is a major strategic part of the highway network with high traffic flows and currently no controlled provision for assisting pedestrians and cyclists in their crossing needs. Following previous approvals of this Committee a feasibility study has been undertaken in respect of the safe crossing needs of pedestrians and cyclists and this report summarises that study and presents a recommended improvement option for future progression through the local scheme programme. OFFICER RECOMMENDATIONS The Committee is asked to agree 1. To approve the preliminary design of the improvement scheme detailed in ANNEX P, Drg No 45406/ To approve, as phase 1 of this improvement proposal, the completion of the detailed design of the crossing facility of the A23 Bonehurst Road during the current financial year and construction during the 2004/05 financial year, subject to future finance approval from this committee. 3. To approve the detailed design and construction of the remaining aspects of this improvement as a phased project subject to future finance approval from this committee. 43

2 1 INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND 1.1 In 2001, as a result of an approved planning application process, the petrol garage site on the centre island of the A23/Chequers roundabout was redeveloped with improved and extended retail facilities. This resulted in higher numbers of pedestrians and cyclists moving around the junction which currently has no controlled facilities to assist such vulnerable road users in their crossing needs. 1.2 These safety concerns led in October 2001 to the Local Joint Transport Committee including within its future transportation project programme a project to investigate crossing safety improvements around the junction. 1.3 At the 1 st April 2003 meeting of this Local Committee funds were allocated to allow a crossing safety study of the junction to be completed which sought to investigate and propose improvement options. This report summarises that study and details the recommended preferred improvement option for future implementation. 1.4 The 1 st April 2003 committee approvals allocated sufficient funds to allow one element of the preferred improvement option to be taken through the detailed design stage during the current financial year with target construction anticipated, (subject to funding), during the 2004/05 financial year. The remaining aspects of the project could then be phased for progression as and when future funding allows. 2. STUDY SUMMARY 2.1 Objectives The objective of the study was to consider: Road traffic accident trends. Pedestrian and cyclists movements and needs. Crossing improvement options and costs. Consistency with other local highway improvements associated with development proposals (Horley Master Plan and FastWay) 2.2 Pedestrian/Cyclist Accident Data Five-year accident data has been reviewed and those accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists at this junction are detailed in table below: Table 2.2.2: junction ped & cyclist accidents (end of Aug) YEAR CASUALTY SEVERITY LOCATION 1999 Male age 15 PED Slight A23/Ladbroke Road 1999 Male age 52 CYCLE Slight A23/Horley Row 1999 Male age 36 CYCLE Slight A23 sthwest arm of junct 2000 Male age 32 CYCLE Slight A23 sthwest arm of junct 2001 Male age 14 CYCLE Slight A23 sthwest arm of junct 2001 Female age 14 PED Slight A23 sthwest arm of junct 2002 Male age 71 CYCLE Slight A23 sthwest arm of junct 44

3 2.3 Pedestrian and cyclists movement survey In December 2002 pedestrian and cyclist surveys were undertaken during the morning (08:00 09:15) and evening (14:45 16:00) school peak periods. The results are detailed in Annex O and can be summarised as follows: Pedestrian movement is generally concentrated around the four entry arms of the junction with the highest numbers being recorded across the Horley Row arm. This location has the greatest numbers of both adults and children crossing. High child pedestrian movement is also recorded at the A23 south-western arm of the junction. Both adult and child pedestrian movement is also significant at the A23/Ladbroke Road and Balcombe Road south-eastern arms of the junction. Pedestrian movement into the centre island of the junction is predominately recorded across the western and eastern sides of the main gyratory system. Cyclist movements are principally recorded across the A23/Ladbroke Road and Horley Row arms of the junction. 2.4 Improvement Proposals (for recommended option see Annex P) The pattern of pedestrian and cyclist movements was considered in conjunction with the accident history and options for improving crossing safety developed There are clear strong pedestrian crossing desire lines at the four arms of the junction with cyclists needs identified principally at the A23/Ladbroke Road and Horley Row arms but also at the A23 south-western arm when the accident data is considered. The appropriate controlled crossing facility for both pedestrians and cyclists is a Toucan (Two can) crossing Where crossing demand is principally pedestrian only, i.e. the Balcombe Road south eastern arm of the junction, it is felt that a Puffin crossing is the most appropriate provision a puffin crossing is signal controlled for pedestrians only, the red and green man lights are located where the pushbutton control is normally found and the crossing detects the presence of pedestrians on the crossing and adjusts timings accordingly so that traffic delays are minimised Safety of pedestrian movement into the centre island is more difficult to resolve since new signal crossings at the demand locations east and west on the main gyratory system, (see Annex O) would require stoppage of the full A23 flows when a pedestrian demand is registered with inherent congestion problems. There are also difficult issues relating to vehicular accesses into the centre island that provide conflict with potential crossing locations. It is therefore felt appropriate to recommend new Puffin crossings into the centre island from the splitter traffic islands on the south-eastern and south-western arms of the junction with future design 45

4 work to consider appropriate methods of encouraging pedestrians to use these locations The use of zebra crossing facilities as an alternative was considered but is felt to be inappropriate at this site. This is due to the need to cater for cyclists as well as pedestrians (only a Toucan crossing makes that provision) and where high flows of vehicles manoeuvring into lanes at all points of the junction conflict with large numbers of pedestrians a more visual and authoritative method of crossing control for both drivers and crossing users safety is appropriate. 2.5 Consistency with other local highway improvements associated with development proposals (Horley Master Plan and FastWay) The safety study of this junction took due regard of the on-going highway needs and improvement discussions resulting from the Horley Master Plan and FastWay projects. Additional residential housing is being proposed in the vicinity of this junction as a result of the Horley Master Plan process and the pedestrian and cyclist crossing facilities proposed would be consistent with the wider walking and cycling links being considered through that process. The FastWay quality bus project will establish additional stop facilities in the Horley area and the crossing proposals would help to serve public access to these bus stops and help support the viability of the FastWay project. 3 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 3.1 At the 1 st April 2003 meeting of this Local Committee approval was given to a sum of 15,000 within the current financial years budget to fund this safety study together with the detailed design of a remote new zebra crossing facility midway along Horley Row (currently on-going with construction to be coordinated with a highway resurfacing project during 2004 agreements previously given by this committee). 3.2 Within the 15,000 was also a provision to allow some detailed design work to progress for the Chequers roundabout proposals. It is felt that the proposed Toucan crossing of the A23/Ladbroke Road arm of the junction should be recommended for detailed design progression at this stage since it provides a safe crossing for high numbers of both pedestrians and cyclists, is key to the development of east/west cycle routes through the Horley area and provides a strong single east/west link connecting the two sides of the community consistent with the Horley Master Plan and FastWay proposals. The remaining elements of the junction improvement could then be phased over time, which would allow external financing options to be explored as opportunities arise. 3.3 Within the 2003 Local Transportation Plan Theme Bid submission for the Reigate & Banstead Borough a sum of 50,000 for constructing the A23/Ladbroke Road Toucan crossing has been suggested for the 2004/05 financial year with subsequent years showing indicative design and construction costs to allow a phased completion of the project over a number of years. 46

5 4 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS 4.1 The recommended new crossings would require additional items of street furniture i.e. signal poles and heads, street lighting upgrade, pedestrian guardrailing as appropriate, tactile paving etc. 4.2 The crossing facilities would operate as and when pedestrian demands are registered and at those times traffic delay would result whilst the green man cycle operates to allow a safe crossing period. 5 CONSULTATION 5.1 A summary of the consultee responses is included in Annex Q. 6 CONCLUSIONS AND REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS a. Since the extended retail development of the service station on the centre island of the Chequers roundabout increased pedestrian and cycling activity occurs around the junction. This has further highlighted crossing safety concerns which the recommended proposals of this report will help to resolve. b. It is considered that the proposals support local transportation objectives, namely: Safe Routes to Schools Improved road safety and accident reduction Improved pedestrian accessibility Improved Cycling provision Access to public transport facilities 6.3 The phased progression of the proposals will allow short-term benefit across the A23/Ladbroke Road together with the opportunity to ensure that future phases are fully consistent with the development of on-going discussions relating to the Horley Master Plan and FastWay projects. Report by: Local Transportation Director LEAD/CONTACT OFFICER: David Allen, Principal Engineer (improvements) TELEPHONE NUMBER: BACKGROUND PAPERS: Safety & Preliminary Design Report 2003 Version No: 2 Date: Time: Initials: DMA No Annexes: 3 47